EP2171280B1 - Vacuum pump - Google Patents
Vacuum pump Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2171280B1 EP2171280B1 EP08762626A EP08762626A EP2171280B1 EP 2171280 B1 EP2171280 B1 EP 2171280B1 EP 08762626 A EP08762626 A EP 08762626A EP 08762626 A EP08762626 A EP 08762626A EP 2171280 B1 EP2171280 B1 EP 2171280B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- reservoir
- pump according
- brush
- rotor
- bearing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
Links
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 claims description 29
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000005445 natural material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 28
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000010687 lubricating oil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000003642 hunger Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000037351 starvation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 2
- KXGFMDJXCMQABM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methoxy-6-methylphenol Chemical compound [CH]OC1=CC=CC([CH])=C1O KXGFMDJXCMQABM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000283707 Capra Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001508691 Martes zibellina Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241000555745 Sciuridae Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920003997 TorlonĀ® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007596 consolidation process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007850 degeneration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001568 phenolic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005011 phenolic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002562 thickening agent Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D19/00—Axial-flow pumps
- F04D19/02—Multi-stage pumps
- F04D19/04—Multi-stage pumps specially adapted to the production of a high vacuum, e.g. molecular pumps
- F04D19/042—Turbomolecular vacuum pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C25/00—Adaptations of pumps for special use of pumps for elastic fluids
- F04C25/02—Adaptations of pumps for special use of pumps for elastic fluids for producing high vacuum
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C29/00—Component parts, details or accessories of pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C18/00Ā -Ā F04C28/00
- F04C29/02—Lubrication; Lubricant separation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/05—Shafts or bearings, or assemblies thereof, specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
- F04D29/056—Bearings
- F04D29/059—Roller bearings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/06—Lubrication
- F04D29/063—Lubrication specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
- F16C33/30—Parts of ball or roller bearings
- F16C33/66—Special parts or details in view of lubrication
- F16C33/6637—Special parts or details in view of lubrication with liquid lubricant
- F16C33/664—Retaining the liquid in or near the bearing
- F16C33/6648—Retaining the liquid in or near the bearing in a porous or resinous body, e.g. a cage impregnated with the liquid
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
- F16C33/30—Parts of ball or roller bearings
- F16C33/66—Special parts or details in view of lubrication
- F16C33/6637—Special parts or details in view of lubrication with liquid lubricant
- F16C33/6659—Details of supply of the liquid to the bearing, e.g. passages or nozzles
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16N—LUBRICATING
- F16N7/00—Arrangements for supplying oil or unspecified lubricant from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated
- F16N7/12—Arrangements for supplying oil or unspecified lubricant from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated with feed by capillary action, e.g. by wicks
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16N—LUBRICATING
- F16N7/00—Arrangements for supplying oil or unspecified lubricant from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated
- F16N7/36—Arrangements for supplying oil or unspecified lubricant from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated with feed by pumping action of the member to be lubricated or of a shaft of the machine; Centrifugal lubrication
- F16N7/366—Arrangements for supplying oil or unspecified lubricant from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated with feed by pumping action of the member to be lubricated or of a shaft of the machine; Centrifugal lubrication with feed by pumping action of a vertical shaft of the machine
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2240/00—Components
- F04C2240/50—Bearings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
- F16C19/02—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows
- F16C19/04—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly
- F16C19/06—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly with a single row or balls
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2360/00—Engines or pumps
- F16C2360/44—Centrifugal pumps
- F16C2360/45—Turbo-molecular pumps
Definitions
- This invention relates to a vacuum pump, and in particular to the lubrication of rolling bearings used to support the impeller of a vacuum pump.
- Vacuum pumps typically comprise an impeller in the form of a rotor mounted on a shaft for rotation relative to a surrounding stator.
- the shaft is supported by a bearing arrangement comprising two bearings located at or intermediate respective ends of the shaft.
- bearings may be in the form of rolling bearings.
- the upper bearing is in the form of a magnetic bearing
- the lower bearing is in the form of a rolling bearing.
- EP 1267081A discloses such a prior art vacuum pomp comprising all the feature of the preamble of claim 1.
- a typical rolling bearing comprises an inner race fixed relative to the shaft, an outer race, and, located between the races, a plurality of rolling elements for allowing relative rotation of the inner race and the outer race. To prevent mutual contacts between the rolling elements, they are often guided and evenly spaced by a cage. Adequate lubrication is essential to ensure accurate and reliable operations of rolling bearings.
- the main purpose of the lubricant is to establish a load-carrying film separating the bearing components in rolling and sliding contact in order to minimise friction and wear. Other purposes include the prevention of oxidation or corrosion of the bearing components, the formation of a barrier to contaminants, and the transfer of heat away from the bearing components.
- the lubricant is generally in the form of either oil or grease (a mixture of oil and a thickening agent).
- Vacuum pumps using oil-lubricated bearings require an oil feeding system for feeding oil between the contact areas of the bearing, which enables the oil to perform cooling as well as lubrication and thereby permit the bearings to run at a faster speed.
- Turbo-molecular pumps have traditionally used a wicking system for supplying oil to a rolling bearing.
- a felt wick partially submerged in an oil reservoir feeds oil to a conical "oil feed" nut mounted on the shaft. With rotation of the pump, oil travels along the conical surface of the nut to the bearing. The oil passes through the bearing and is returned to the reservoir.
- Felt is formed by matting a large number of individual filaments, and so the felt wick is normally treated with a rubber stabilising agent. This is because untreated felt wicks are prone to release debris, usually in the form of individual filaments, parts of filaments, or dirt trapped within the filaments during matting, into the oil. This debris is subsequently carried by the oil into the bearing. The resulting contamination of the bearing can cause damage which promotes premature bearing failure. Whilst washing the wicks can reduce the amount of dirt-related contamination of bearings, the washing process tends to damage the integrity of the felt, leading to increased release of filaments and filament fragments during use.
- the stabilising agent used to treat the wicks is temperature sensitive.
- the high relative velocities (typically in excess of 25ms -1 ) experienced within a turbomolecular vacuum pump cause significant quantities of frictional heat to be generated.
- the treated wicks can become deformed and hardened as the tip of the wick begins to char and consolidate. This hardening can significantly reduce the rate at which oil is transferred from the reservoir to the bearing as the consolidation of the felt and the deformation of the tip reduces the ability of the wick to retain good contact with the surface of the nut.
- This reduction in the rate of transfer of oil causes further charring and deterioration of the felt wick. Consequently, premature bearing failure can occur through wear damage and overheating caused by poor lubrication.
- the present invention provides a vacuum pump comprising a housing, a rotor supported by a bearing arrangement for rotation relative to the housing, a lubricant reservoir for storing lubricant for lubricating a rolling bearing of the bearing arrangement, and a brush for transferring lubricant from the reservoir to the rotor, the brush comprising a set of bristles held by the reservoir.
- a lubricating device having enhanced wear properties is provided.
- the bristles (which term includes bristles, fibres and filaments) of the brush retain their configuration so that delivery of lubricant is maintained over time. This can enable consistent lubrication of the bearing and enable materials that are sensitive to lubrication starvation to be used in the manufacture of a cage for the bearing.
- the bristles may be arranged substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotor or they may be inclined towards the rolling bearing.
- the brush may have an end contacting the rotor which is angled relative to a plane normal to the length of the bristles.
- the bristles may be retained within an aperture formed in the reservoir.
- the lubricant reservoir may extend about the rotor.
- a second brush for transferring lubricant from the reservoir to the rotor may be provided, the second brush comprising a set of bristles held by the reservoir.
- the brushes may be angularly spaced about the rotor.
- the brushes may be substantially diametrically opposed. The brushes may contact the rotor at locations which are staggered along the rotor.
- the reservoir may be formed from a bi-component material for example a material comprising polypropylene and polyethylene.
- the bristles may be natural or synthetic.
- FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a vacuum pump 50 comprising a pumping arrangement driven by a shaft 52.
- the illustrated vacuum pump is a turbomolecular vacuum pump comprising a turbomolecular pumping mechanism 54 and a molecular drag pumping mechanism 56.
- the turbomolecular pumping mechanism comprises a plurality of rotor blades 58 mounted on, or integral with, the shaft 52.
- the molecular drag pumping mechanism 56 is in the form of a Holweck pumping mechanism, and comprises one more cylinders 60 mounted on the shaft 52.
- the shaft is rotated about longitudinal axis 61 by a motor 62 to drive the pumping arrangement.
- the shaft 52 is supported by a bearing arrangement comprising two bearings which may be positioned either at respective ends of the shaft as shown or alternatively intermediate the ends.
- a rolling bearing 64 supports a first portion of the shaft 52 and a magnetic bearing 66 supports a second portion of the shaft 52.
- a second rolling bearing may be used as an alternative to the magnetic bearing 66.
- it may also be desirable to incorporate a back-up bearing.
- the rolling bearing 64 is provided between the second end portion of the shaft 52 and a housing portion 68 of the pump 50.
- the rolling bearing 64 comprises an inner race 70 fixed relative to the shaft 52, an outer race 72, and a plurality of rolling elements 74, supported by a cage 76, for allowing relative rotation of the inner race 70 and the outer race 72.
- the rolling bearing 64 is lubricated by a lubricant supply system 80 to establish a load-carrying film separating the bearing components in rolling and sliding contact in order to minimise friction and wear.
- the lubricant supply system 80 comprises a liquid lubricant reservoir 82, which surrounds an axis of rotation 61 of the shaft 52.
- the reservoir 82 is provided by a stable fibrous annular substrate surrounding a central bore 83 of the reservoir 82, and having voids within which oil, or other liquid lubricant, is stored.
- the reservoir 82 holds a brush 84 comprising a set of filaments or bristles 86.
- the brush 84 is oriented such that the bristles lie orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the bore 83 of the reservoir 82, which is also the rotational axis 61 of the shaft 52. A portion of the length of the bristles 86 is embedded within the substrate of the reservoir 82 and the remaining portion of the bristles 86 protrude into the bore 83 of the reservoir 82. As illustrated in Figure 3 , a second brush 94 having a set of bristles 96 may be provided at a location approximately diametrically opposite the brush 84.
- the brushes 84, 94 are held by the reservoir 82 so that the bristles 86, 96 are in contact with a tapered feed nut 90 mounted on the shaft 52 and located within the bore 83 of the reservoir 82.
- the end of the tapered nut 90 located adjacent the bearing 64 has an external diameter which is approximately equal to the internal diameter of the cage 76 of the bearing 64.
- the brushes 84,94 are located approximately mid way along the axial length of the reservoir 82. However, this location is arbitrary and the axial location of the brushes 84, 94 may vary from one vacuum pump to another.
- the axial location of the brushes 84, 94 is selected to balance the benefits of maximising the volume of oil that can be accessed from the reservoir 82 whilst minimising the distance over which oil is transferred along the feed nut 90 to the bearing 64.
- two brushes are shown at a single axial location but further brushes may be provided at a different axial location.
- the location of the brushes 84, 94 may be staggered along the length of the reservoir 82.
- one or more additional brushes may be held within the reservoir 82 at the same axial location as those illustrated in this example to give three or more brushes at a single axial location.
- Oil, or other liquid lubricant is retained within the reservoir 82 such that the part of the bristles 86, 96 that is embedded within the reservoir 82 comes into contact with the lubricant.
- the lubricant is drawn along the extent of the bristles 86, 96 to the protruding part by capillary action and is deposited onto the feed nut 90 as it rotates. This oil is transferred axially along the feed nut 90 to the cage 76 of the bearing 64 by virtue of the taper on the nut 90 and the rotation of the nut.
- FIG. 4 A second embodiment of a lubricant supply system is illustrated in Figure 4 , in which a brush 104 comprises a set of bristles 106 which extend across the bore 83 of the reservoir 82 to be held by the reservoir at diametrically opposite locations. Such a configuration further increases the contact that can be achieved between the bristles 106 and the feed nut 90 and enhances the reliability of the delivery of oil thereto.
- Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of a lubricant supply system, in which the bristles 116, 128 of each brush 114, 124 are inclined at an angle to the axis 61 of the bore of the reservoir 82 so that the bristles 116, 126 experience a smaller amount of deformation when contacting the feed nut 90.
- the bristles 86, 96 are gathered together at one end and held by crimping or adhesive to form brushes 84, 94. Each brush is then threaded through the reservoir from the external surface thereof and the crimp is held in a recess located at the outer periphery of the reservoir 82. Each brush 84, 94 may be inserted into an aperture that is preformed in the reservoir material or it may be driven through the material without first forming such an aperture.
- An alternative method of fixing the brushes in place is illustrated in Figure 6 and involves using a C-shaped cross section of reservoir material 182 and placing the brush 184 between the opposing ends. The brush is then clamped in place by pressing the reservoir into a sleeve 186 or bore having a smaller internal diameter than the outer diameter of the reservoir material 182.
- the reservoir material is preferably a bi- or multi-component material made from, for example, polypropylene and polyethylene, such as "BNW Sheet".
- This material is particularly suitable as it is sufficiently rigid be shaped and to accurately locate and support the brush 84 therein, whilst having good oil wicking properties to readily allow the transfer of oil from the material to the brush.
- the material does not shed fibrous or particulate matter during use.
- a soft felt material could be used as the reservoir material, but an outer sleeve or collar would be required to retain the brush in the correct location.
- the brushes 84, 94 may be made from natural bristles such as sable hair, squirrel hair, goat hair or ox hair, or from a synthetic material such as polyester, nylon or KanegoatĀ®.
- the natural bristles have a very small diameter (20-40 microns) and perform better than synthetic bristles having larger diameters (100-200 microns).
- Brushes 84, 94 provide an improved lubricant applicator when compared to conventional felt pads as the individual filaments do not fuse together. Consequently, the lubricant applicator does not degenerate like a conventional felt pad. Contamination of the bearing through degeneration of the lubricant applicator is therefore inhibited. In addition, the rate of oil transfer to the bearing from the reservoir is more consistent and reliable over time when using a brush applicator.
- a further advantage associated with the use of a brush applicator is that the resilience or bias of the applicator is improved when compared to a conventional felt pad. Therefore better contact with the feed nut is maintained during use of the pump, and the rate of transfer of oil from the reservoir to the feed nut is improved.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
- Non-Positive Displacement Air Blowers (AREA)
- Applications Or Details Of Rotary Compressors (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a vacuum pump, and in particular to the lubrication of rolling bearings used to support the impeller of a vacuum pump.
- Vacuum pumps typically comprise an impeller in the form of a rotor mounted on a shaft for rotation relative to a surrounding stator. The shaft is supported by a bearing arrangement comprising two bearings located at or intermediate respective ends of the shaft. One or both of these bearings may be in the form of rolling bearings. Usually, the upper bearing is in the form of a magnetic bearing, and the lower bearing is in the form of a rolling bearing.
EP 1267081A discloses such a prior art vacuum pomp comprising all the feature of the preamble of claim 1. - A typical rolling bearing comprises an inner race fixed relative to the shaft, an outer race, and, located between the races, a plurality of rolling elements for allowing relative rotation of the inner race and the outer race. To prevent mutual contacts between the rolling elements, they are often guided and evenly spaced by a cage. Adequate lubrication is essential to ensure accurate and reliable operations of rolling bearings. The main purpose of the lubricant is to establish a load-carrying film separating the bearing components in rolling and sliding contact in order to minimise friction and wear. Other purposes include the prevention of oxidation or corrosion of the bearing components, the formation of a barrier to contaminants, and the transfer of heat away from the bearing components. The lubricant is generally in the form of either oil or grease (a mixture of oil and a thickening agent).
- Vacuum pumps using oil-lubricated bearings require an oil feeding system for feeding oil between the contact areas of the bearing, which enables the oil to perform cooling as well as lubrication and thereby permit the bearings to run at a faster speed. Turbo-molecular pumps have traditionally used a wicking system for supplying oil to a rolling bearing. In such a system, a felt wick partially submerged in an oil reservoir feeds oil to a conical "oil feed" nut mounted on the shaft. With rotation of the pump, oil travels along the conical surface of the nut to the bearing. The oil passes through the bearing and is returned to the reservoir.
- Felt is formed by matting a large number of individual filaments, and so the felt wick is normally treated with a rubber stabilising agent. This is because untreated felt wicks are prone to release debris, usually in the form of individual filaments, parts of filaments, or dirt trapped within the filaments during matting, into the oil. This debris is subsequently carried by the oil into the bearing. The resulting contamination of the bearing can cause damage which promotes premature bearing failure. Whilst washing the wicks can reduce the amount of dirt-related contamination of bearings, the washing process tends to damage the integrity of the felt, leading to increased release of filaments and filament fragments during use.
- There are also problems associated with the use of treated fibre wicks. The stabilising agent used to treat the wicks is temperature sensitive. The high relative velocities (typically in excess of 25ms-1) experienced within a turbomolecular vacuum pump cause significant quantities of frictional heat to be generated. With prolonged use, the treated wicks can become deformed and hardened as the tip of the wick begins to char and consolidate. This hardening can significantly reduce the rate at which oil is transferred from the reservoir to the bearing as the consolidation of the felt and the deformation of the tip reduces the ability of the wick to retain good contact with the surface of the nut. This reduction in the rate of transfer of oil causes further charring and deterioration of the felt wick. Consequently, premature bearing failure can occur through wear damage and overheating caused by poor lubrication.
- Conventional materials used for manufacturing bearing cages, such as Phenolic resin, tended to absorb some of the oil. This oil retention caused the bearing to be reasonably tolerant to a non-lubricated environment as the cage material was able to act as a further source of lubricant. More recently the cages of bearings are being manufactured from a single piece of material which, whilst being more accurate and better balanced, is more sensitive to wear. In particular the new materials being used, e.g. TorlonĀ®, do not absorb oil in the same manner as the conventional materials, and therefore bearings with cages manufactured from these new materials are much less tolerant of lubrication starvation.
- The present invention provides a vacuum pump comprising a housing, a rotor supported by a bearing arrangement for rotation relative to the housing, a lubricant reservoir for storing lubricant for lubricating a rolling bearing of the bearing arrangement, and a brush for transferring lubricant from the reservoir to the rotor, the brush comprising a set of bristles held by the reservoir.
- By providing a brush for transferring the lubricant to the rotor, rather than using a conventional felt pad, a lubricating device having enhanced wear properties is provided. In use, the bristles (which term includes bristles, fibres and filaments) of the brush retain their configuration so that delivery of lubricant is maintained over time. This can enable consistent lubrication of the bearing and enable materials that are sensitive to lubrication starvation to be used in the manufacture of a cage for the bearing.
- The bristles may be arranged substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotor or they may be inclined towards the rolling bearing. The brush may have an end contacting the rotor which is angled relative to a plane normal to the length of the bristles. The bristles may be retained within an aperture formed in the reservoir.
- The lubricant reservoir may extend about the rotor. A second brush for transferring lubricant from the reservoir to the rotor may be provided, the second brush comprising a set of bristles held by the reservoir. The brushes may be angularly spaced about the rotor. The brushes may be substantially diametrically opposed. The brushes may contact the rotor at locations which are staggered along the rotor.
- The reservoir may be formed from a bi-component material for example a material comprising polypropylene and polyethylene. The bristles may be natural or synthetic.
- Preferred features of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view through a turbomolecular vacuum pump; -
Figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a system for supplying lubricant to the rolling bearing of the pump ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 illustrates an end view of the lubricant supply system ofFigure 2 (in the direction Ī±); -
Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a system for supplying lubricant to the rolling bearing of the pump ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of a system for supplying lubricant to the rolling bearing of the pump ofFigure 1 ; and -
Figure 6 illustrates a method of assembling any of the aforementioned lubricant supply systems. -
Figure 1 shows a cross-section of avacuum pump 50 comprising a pumping arrangement driven by ashaft 52. The illustrated vacuum pump is a turbomolecular vacuum pump comprising aturbomolecular pumping mechanism 54 and a moleculardrag pumping mechanism 56. The turbomolecular pumping mechanism comprises a plurality ofrotor blades 58 mounted on, or integral with, theshaft 52. The moleculardrag pumping mechanism 56 is in the form of a Holweck pumping mechanism, and comprises onemore cylinders 60 mounted on theshaft 52. The shaft is rotated aboutlongitudinal axis 61 by amotor 62 to drive the pumping arrangement. - The
shaft 52 is supported by a bearing arrangement comprising two bearings which may be positioned either at respective ends of the shaft as shown or alternatively intermediate the ends. InFigure 1 , a rollingbearing 64 supports a first portion of theshaft 52 and a magnetic bearing 66 supports a second portion of theshaft 52. A second rolling bearing may be used as an alternative to the magnetic bearing 66. When a magnetic bearing is used, it may also be desirable to incorporate a back-up bearing. - The rolling
bearing 64 is provided between the second end portion of theshaft 52 and ahousing portion 68 of thepump 50. With reference also toFigure 2 , the rollingbearing 64 comprises aninner race 70 fixed relative to theshaft 52, anouter race 72, and a plurality ofrolling elements 74, supported by acage 76, for allowing relative rotation of theinner race 70 and theouter race 72. - The rolling
bearing 64 is lubricated by alubricant supply system 80 to establish a load-carrying film separating the bearing components in rolling and sliding contact in order to minimise friction and wear. Thelubricant supply system 80 comprises aliquid lubricant reservoir 82, which surrounds an axis ofrotation 61 of theshaft 52. Thereservoir 82 is provided by a stable fibrous annular substrate surrounding acentral bore 83 of thereservoir 82, and having voids within which oil, or other liquid lubricant, is stored. Thereservoir 82 holds abrush 84 comprising a set of filaments or bristles 86. Thebrush 84 is oriented such that the bristles lie orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of thebore 83 of thereservoir 82, which is also therotational axis 61 of theshaft 52. A portion of the length of thebristles 86 is embedded within the substrate of thereservoir 82 and the remaining portion of thebristles 86 protrude into thebore 83 of thereservoir 82. As illustrated inFigure 3 , asecond brush 94 having a set ofbristles 96 may be provided at a location approximately diametrically opposite thebrush 84. - The
brushes reservoir 82 so that thebristles tapered feed nut 90 mounted on theshaft 52 and located within thebore 83 of thereservoir 82. The end of the taperednut 90 located adjacent thebearing 64 has an external diameter which is approximately equal to the internal diameter of thecage 76 of thebearing 64. In this embodiment, thebrushes reservoir 82. However, this location is arbitrary and the axial location of thebrushes brushes reservoir 82 whilst minimising the distance over which oil is transferred along thefeed nut 90 to thebearing 64. In this example two brushes are shown at a single axial location but further brushes may be provided at a different axial location. The location of thebrushes reservoir 82. Furthermore, one or more additional brushes may be held within thereservoir 82 at the same axial location as those illustrated in this example to give three or more brushes at a single axial location. - Oil, or other liquid lubricant, is retained within the
reservoir 82 such that the part of thebristles reservoir 82 comes into contact with the lubricant. In use, the lubricant is drawn along the extent of thebristles feed nut 90 as it rotates. This oil is transferred axially along thefeed nut 90 to thecage 76 of thebearing 64 by virtue of the taper on thenut 90 and the rotation of the nut. - A second embodiment of a lubricant supply system is illustrated in
Figure 4 , in which abrush 104 comprises a set ofbristles 106 which extend across thebore 83 of thereservoir 82 to be held by the reservoir at diametrically opposite locations. Such a configuration further increases the contact that can be achieved between thebristles 106 and thefeed nut 90 and enhances the reliability of the delivery of oil thereto. -
Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of a lubricant supply system, in which thebristles 116, 128 of eachbrush axis 61 of the bore of thereservoir 82 so that thebristles feed nut 90. - In any of the above embodiments, the
bristles reservoir 82. Eachbrush Figure 6 and involves using a C-shaped cross section ofreservoir material 182 and placing thebrush 184 between the opposing ends. The brush is then clamped in place by pressing the reservoir into asleeve 186 or bore having a smaller internal diameter than the outer diameter of thereservoir material 182. - The reservoir material is preferably a bi- or multi-component material made from, for example, polypropylene and polyethylene, such as "BNW Sheet". This material is particularly suitable as it is sufficiently rigid be shaped and to accurately locate and support the
brush 84 therein, whilst having good oil wicking properties to readily allow the transfer of oil from the material to the brush. The material does not shed fibrous or particulate matter during use. Alternatively a soft felt material could be used as the reservoir material, but an outer sleeve or collar would be required to retain the brush in the correct location. - The
brushes -
Brushes - A further advantage associated with the use of a brush applicator is that the resilience or bias of the applicator is improved when compared to a conventional felt pad. Therefore better contact with the feed nut is maintained during use of the pump, and the rate of transfer of oil from the reservoir to the feed nut is improved.
Claims (14)
- A vacuum pump (50) comprising a housing, a rotor (52) supported by a bearing (64) arrangement for rotation relative to the housing, and a lubricant reservoir (82) for storing lubricant for lubricating a rolling bearing of the bearing arrangement; said vacuum pump being characterised by a brush (84) for transferring lubricant from the reservoir to the rotor, the brush comprising a set of bristles held by the reservoir.
- A pump according to Claim 1, wherein the brush is arranged substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotor.
- A pump according to Claim 1, wherein the brush is inclined towards the rolling bearing.
- A pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the brush is retained within an aperture formed in the reservoir.
- A pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the lubricant reservoir extends about the rotor.
- A pump according to Claim 5, comprising a plurality of brushes (84, 94) for transferring lubricant from the reservoir to the rotor, these brushes comprising sets of bristles held by the reservoir.
- A pump according to Claim 6, wherein the brushes are angularly spaced about the rotor.
- A pump according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the brushes are substantially diametrically opposed.
- A pump according to any of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the brushes contact the rotor at locations which are staggered along the rotor.
- A pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir is formed from a multi-component material.
- A pump according to Claim 10, wherein the reservoir material comprises polypropylene and polyethylene.
- A pump according to any preceding claim, wherein the brush is formed from a natural material.
- A pump according to any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the brush is formed from a synthetic material.
- A pump according to any preceding claim, in the form of a turbomolecular vacuum pump.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0712777.2A GB0712777D0 (en) | 2007-07-02 | 2007-07-02 | Vacuum Pump |
PCT/GB2008/050524 WO2009004378A2 (en) | 2007-07-02 | 2008-06-30 | Vacuum pump |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2171280A2 EP2171280A2 (en) | 2010-04-07 |
EP2171280B1 true EP2171280B1 (en) | 2012-09-26 |
Family
ID=38421051
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08762626A Not-in-force EP2171280B1 (en) | 2007-07-02 | 2008-06-30 | Vacuum pump |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US9046103B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2171280B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5341887B2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0712777D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009004378A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105143682A (en) * | 2013-04-22 | 2015-12-09 | ē±å¾·åå ¹ęéå ¬åø | Vacuum pump |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102009052180A1 (en) * | 2009-11-06 | 2011-05-12 | Pfeiffer Vacuum Gmbh | High vacuum pump |
DE102010021945A1 (en) * | 2010-05-28 | 2011-12-01 | Pfeiffer Vacuum Gmbh | vacuum pump |
DE102013210109A1 (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2014-12-04 | Pfeiffer Vacuum Gmbh | vacuum pump |
GB2533937B (en) * | 2015-01-07 | 2019-04-24 | Edwards Ltd | Vacuum pump lubricant supply systems |
GB2535163B (en) * | 2015-02-09 | 2017-04-05 | Edwards Ltd | Pump lubricant supply systems |
GB2552700A (en) * | 2016-08-04 | 2018-02-07 | Edwards Ltd | Turbomolecular pump lubricant supply systems |
EP3575610B1 (en) * | 2018-05-30 | 2022-01-19 | Pfeiffer Vacuum Gmbh | Vacuum pump with lubricant reservoir |
Family Cites Families (21)
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US1457384A (en) * | 1921-09-15 | 1923-06-05 | William R Miller | Bearing box for mine cars |
GB628279A (en) | 1946-07-26 | 1949-08-25 | Garrett Corp | Turbine driven fluid circulating unit |
US2878048A (en) * | 1954-03-18 | 1959-03-17 | Osborn Mfg Co | Brush seal and the like |
US3040702A (en) * | 1958-06-19 | 1962-06-26 | Nat Res Corp | Vacuum coating apparatus having sealing means formed of membranes and fibers |
GB1412124A (en) | 1972-02-07 | 1975-10-29 | Normalair Garrett Ltd | Rotating machines |
JPS55140896U (en) * | 1979-03-30 | 1980-10-08 | ||
GB2121478B (en) | 1979-05-14 | 1984-06-06 | Osborn Norbert L | Bearing structure for a turbo-compressor |
FR2456854B1 (en) * | 1979-05-18 | 1986-03-28 | Nissan Motor | MEMBER, SUCH AS AN ENGINE COVER, NEAR THE MOTOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD |
CA1290708C (en) | 1986-01-13 | 1991-10-15 | Hy-Tech Hydraulics, Inc. | Self-lubricating and self-cleansing bearings |
JPH0389994U (en) * | 1989-12-28 | 1991-09-12 | ||
US5261676A (en) | 1991-12-04 | 1993-11-16 | Environamics Corporation | Sealing arrangement with pressure responsive diaphragm means |
JPH09210171A (en) * | 1996-01-30 | 1997-08-12 | Nippon Seiko Kk | Ball screw |
DE19635728C1 (en) * | 1996-09-03 | 1998-01-15 | Max Wyssmann | Brush device for lubricating and cleaning guide and drive components, e.g. chains, rails and ropes |
JPH11343945A (en) * | 1998-06-01 | 1999-12-14 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Fuel pump |
JP3428443B2 (en) * | 1998-06-29 | 2003-07-22 | ę Ŗå¼ä¼ē¤¾ę„ē«č£½ä½ę | Variable flow high pressure fuel pump and fuel supply control method |
JP3454502B2 (en) * | 2000-03-15 | 2003-10-06 | ļ¼“ļ½ļ½ę Ŗå¼ä¼ē¤¾ | Lubricating oil supply device and rolling element screw device using the same |
GB0114417D0 (en) | 2001-06-13 | 2001-08-08 | Boc Group Plc | Lubricating systems for regenerative vacuum pumps |
GB0508013D0 (en) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-05-25 | Boc Group Plc | Vacuum pump |
GB0511877D0 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2005-07-20 | Boc Group Plc | Vacuum pump |
US8256575B2 (en) * | 2007-08-22 | 2012-09-04 | General Electric Company | Methods and systems for sealing rotating machines |
JP4528821B2 (en) * | 2007-10-29 | 2010-08-25 | ę„ē«ćŖć¼ćć¢ćć£ćć·ć¹ćć ćŗę Ŗå¼ä¼ē¤¾ | Fuel supply controller |
-
2007
- 2007-07-02 GB GBGB0712777.2A patent/GB0712777D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2008
- 2008-06-30 JP JP2010514143A patent/JP5341887B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2008-06-30 EP EP08762626A patent/EP2171280B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2008-06-30 WO PCT/GB2008/050524 patent/WO2009004378A2/en active Application Filing
- 2008-06-30 US US12/663,475 patent/US9046103B2/en active Active
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105143682A (en) * | 2013-04-22 | 2015-12-09 | ē±å¾·åå ¹ęéå ¬åø | Vacuum pump |
US10190594B2 (en) | 2013-04-22 | 2019-01-29 | Edwards Limited | Vacuum pump |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2009004378A2 (en) | 2009-01-08 |
US9046103B2 (en) | 2015-06-02 |
WO2009004378A3 (en) | 2009-05-28 |
JP5341887B2 (en) | 2013-11-13 |
US20100296917A1 (en) | 2010-11-25 |
EP2171280A2 (en) | 2010-04-07 |
GB0712777D0 (en) | 2007-08-08 |
JP2010531955A (en) | 2010-09-30 |
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